Border congressmen applaud Mexico’s release of water but push for more

West and South Texas are facing a multi-year drought, with threats that some communities could exhaust their water supplies by June. (AP Photo)

Texas’ five border congressmen are applauding Mexico’s release of water to drought-stricken Texas communities and say they hope to push for more coordination between the two countries.

“While we’re unsure of the impact this water release will have on water security for our communities and where Mexico stands in relation to the terms of the Treaty, I’m thankful to the Mexican government for this good faith effort and actively working with the United States to solve the water availability crisis near our international border,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.

Cuellar said the need for water was urgent, as farmers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley could be out of water by June. The South Texas lawmaker said he had written letters to the Mexican Ambassador and the U.S. State Department on the issue.

“Though the water release from Mexico is a much-needed first step, there’s a long way to go before this issue can be resolved,” Gallego said.

Hinojosa shared Gallego’s sentiments.

“We are of course thankful to Mexico for releasing some of the stored water for use by Texas residents, however we are realistic in knowing that the amount of water is not sufficient to meet the extreme needs during the long drought,” Hinojosa said in a statement.

Vela said he was not satisfied with Mexico’s response so far, citing the group in charge of water transference, the International Boundary and Water Commission.

“After consulting with state and local water experts, it appears that Friday’s IBWC announcement regarding Mexican water releases involves the delivery of a pittance in relation to what is really owed,” Vela said.

The water issue dates back to a 1944 treaty signed by both countries. The treaty covers water sharing from California to Texas. At issue are the Mexican tributaries flowing to the Rio Grande, which the treaty insists Mexico deliver a third of the water to the US.

A multi-year drought has caused water shortages across Texas, with communities around Fort Worth demanding more water from Oklahoma, and western Texas in disputes with New Mexico, according to the New York Times. The already normally dry western and border regions of Texas are feeling the worst of the recent drought.

Complicating the issue is that Mexico is in the grips of its own multi-year drought. The 1944 treaty said that Mexico does not have to share water in times of drought. The treaty also allows a five-year period for the delivery of water. Mexico would have until October 2015 to comply in the current cycle.

Cuellar said in a phone interview that he visited with officials from the Mexican government in Mexico City. They informed him that the drought has impacted the country from the Texas border all the way to Chiapas, a southern province bordering Guatemala. Cuellar said he plans to meet with the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs for North America in Washington later this week. The secretary, Sergio Alcocer, is no stranger to Texas, having earned his PhD at UT-Austin.